Culture Drip—Small Things That Keep the Big Things Alive
Leaders often think culture must be reinforced with big moments—retreats, launches, or sweeping programs. But culture isn’t created in one dramatic splash. It’s cultivated in consistent drips.
That’s the magic of the SHIFT Matrix:
- S: Situation – Fatigue is creeping in.
- H: Habits – Culture touchpoints have vanished.
- I: Insights – People feel under-celebrated and overextended.
- F: Formulation – Reintroduce small rituals that reinforce identity.
- T: Transformation – Normalize appreciation, storytelling, and wins.
In The Office, Dundie Awards seem ridiculous—but they’re actually culture gold. Why? Because they’re consistent, low-stakes moments of recognition. Everyone gets seen.
Do this next: Choose one weekly micro-ritual to reintroduce (or start). Example: a Friday team win story shared in Slack, or a quick “value of the week” shoutout in meetings.
Drip. Drip. Drip. That’s how values stick. That’s how identity is built. Culture doesn’t need confetti. It needs consistency.
